The Richardson Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) continues to make progress toward reducing the number of anchor-out vessels from the waters off Sausalito.
In September, the agency removed the last illegal floating home off Waldo Point, a condition of its agreement with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC). That left just 21 vessels still anchored in Richardson Bay.
At the November RBRA meeting, Harbor Master Jim Malcolm reported:
The October 15, 2024 deadline for clearance of the Eelgrass Protection Zone spurred a significant uptick in the vessel buyback program. Seven vessels were surrendered through the vessel buyback with four of those vessels being from persons involved in the temporary housing voucher program. Of significance was a 60 foot motor vessel, with two persons living onboard. The vessel was actively taking on water and was the most significant cause for alarm for RBRA staff.
One small sailing vessel caught on fire on the anchorage. On October 23 the Antares caught on fire and was responded to by Southern Marin Fire Department Fire boat. The vessel had received two citations for violation of the 72-hour anchoring regulation with one citation upheld through appeal. A marine debris notice was placed on the vessel and attempts were being made to reach out to the owner to move or remove the vessel.
With no attempts having been made by the owner to respond to the burnt vessel on October 30 S/V Antares sunk, and a summary abatement process was commenced for removal of the vessel.
With no attempts having been made to raise or remove it, the vessel has been raised and is out of the water on hard ground at the Army Corps of Engineers yard awaiting survey and disposal.
Harbormaster staff participated in the Eelgrass Protection Zone kickoff event on October 30, final buoyage to delineate the new anchorage zone and eelgrass protection zone went in place on Nov. 7, 2024. Enforcement of eelgrass protection zone violations will begin Nov 15, 2024.
Citation Program:
Seven citations were issued this period, all citations for violation of section 3.04.010 of the RBRA code, anchoring greater than 72 hours.
One vessel remains impounded as result of previous nuisance abatement notices. The 60-day impound period is complete for one of the vessels Nov. 16, 2024 and that vessel will be processed for disposal in accordance with CA Harbors and Navigation Code. A second vessel impound process was completed on November 12, 2024 and that vessel was surrendered by the vessel owner once the impound period was complete. The vessel has been brought to the Army Corps of Engineers yard in Sausalito and is awaiting disposal.